Cable industry groups filed a petition with the FCC arguing that the agency's repeal of the national TV ownership cap violates a 2004 law setting the limit at 39 percent. The filing said Congress was unambiguous in establishing this precise threshold.
The petition is a procedural step before an expected lawsuit in a US appeals court once the FCC order is published in the Federal Register. The groups plan to seek a preliminary injunction to keep the cap in place during litigation.
The filing represents cable providers in Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and the six New England states, including major operators Comcast, Charter, and Cox.
The FCC defends its repeal, arguing the 2004 law directed the commission to modify its rules rather than enact a fixed cap. It claims authority to reexamine the cap outside the quadrennial review process if it no longer serves the public interest.
Source: Ars Technica · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing